St. Ambrose

St. Ambrose and Emperor Theodosius by Van Dyck

Today is the Memorial of the great St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, teacher and mentor of the great St. Augustine. Thought he is a saint for all time, he is a particularly strong role model for this moment in the Church and the world. The Van Dyck painting above captures the strength of his example.

Theodosius was threatened with excommunication by Ambrose for the massacre of 7,000 persons at Thessalonica in 390, and was bidden imitate David in his repentance as he had imitated him in guilt – Ambrose readmitted the emperor only after several months of penance to the Eucharist. This incident shows the strong position of a bishop in the Western part of the empire, even when facing a strong emperor…

St. Ambrose, pray for us.